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No Dual-Boot XO Laptop, According to Microsoft
Yesterday, we discussed reports of Microsoft and the OLPC project working towards a dual-boot version of the XO laptop. Now, BetaNews tells us that Microsoft has issued statements denying such plans. The software giant has also reaffirmed their intention to develop a Windows-only version of the laptop. Microsoft's statement to BetaNews had this to say:
"While we have investigated the possibility in the past, Microsoft is not developing dual-boot Windows XP support for the One Laptop Per Child's XO laptop. As we announced in December, Microsoft plans to publish formal design guidelines early this year that will assist flash-based device manufacturers in designing machines that enable a high-quality Windows experience. Our current goal remains to provide a high-quality Windows experience on the XO device."
Doesnt surprise me that Microsoft doesnt want a competitor on the same machine in an Emerging market. I am really curious about this "high quality windows experience" though.....
I can only hope they plan to redefine the interface on top of the Windows core (e.g. like they do in ATMs), because the default Windows interface would be absolutely terrible for a laptop given to a child.
So would any windowing interface, which is why OLPC spent so much time developing an alternative interface that is decent for education.
Let's see what Microsoft puts on top of Windows...let's see if they actually care about children and what is best for education. If this laptop boots into the standard Windows desktop, I'll assume they have no clue about what is good for a child and are just in it to preserve their monopoly.
"Microsoft killed my company, I hold a personal grudge. I don't use Microsoft products and neither should you."-JWZ
Yeah, I find it rather ironic that Microsoft can't just install because of Trusted computing features!
Anyhow, Windows can't dual boot because:
a) Windows is sooo huge and bloated that it can't fit on as it is, let alone with having another OS
b) In the native state, the OLPC has OpenFirmware, it does not have any legacy BIOS
My little Linux and tech blog
If they can make a stripped down version run on an XO, can I please have that same version for my PC?
I think moderating you "flamebait" was a tad bit harsh for just sharing your opinion. However, the process of donating is quite simple. I'm no Bill Gates philanthropist, but how is this any different than sponsoring a child through World Vision or Christian Children's Fund? The only change I would like to see from OLPC is to receive some sort of contact information with the child I already sponsored, much like CCF offers. The real question you have to ask yourself is
Are you down with OLPC? Yeah, you know me.
Who's down with OLPC? Every slashdotie.
I just wish I could buy one for myself, even at twice the price would be nice. They could use the spare $200 for another donation or roll the "profit" back into lowering costs or something. There's something novel about the XO which is alluring to me as a gadget monkey. I'd gladly donate my ownership of it to some inner city kids locally after I built up my Popeye arm for a bit. I want to look like Reggie from "Lady in the Water". You down with OLPC?
I hope, when they die, cartoon characters have to answer for their sins.
If Microsoft put the XBox team in charge of coming up with a version of Windows for the XO, then it would probably fit onto the flash disk and have a usable interface.
In my mind, the real question is, what happened to the whole Open and Free policy that the OLPC program claimed to maintain. They turned down Microsoft (originally) and Apple. However, now seem to be more then happy to work with Microsoft. WTF? Has Openness and Freedom been thrown out the Window? What happened to allowing the kids to extend the laptops? To not locking them in? I don't know what's going on, but I'll bet that large quantities of money were slipped under the table. Unfortunately, it seems everyone has a price.